What about when it's not so magical?

[LisaT91403]

We did a quick day trip yesterday, and there were a couple of real "bummers" for DS(3).

We asked to ride with the pilot on the Mark Twain, as DS really wanted to blow the whistle (someone here posted that tip -- it sounded like an awesome thing to do!) I asked the CM before we boarded, and he said it was no problem...just come up and knock on the door once we boarded and were ready to go. Unfortunately, when we got there, the CM didn't answer the door because he already had other guests riding up there. DS cried. We talked to another CM and explained the situation...I was hoping she could get us up there anyway. No luck. She offered to allow us up on the next run if we wanted to stay on the boat for another ride. DS stopped crying, and said okay. When we pulled into the dock, she said that the CM had already promised other guests that they could go up, so we were out of luck again (cue the tears a second time).

On to disappointment #2. DS was promised one final ride after dinner, and he chose Peter Pan. He was so excited in the [relatively short, maybe 20 minute] line, he was practically jumping up and down. We boarded, and the lap bar was lowered. And then, instead of "Here we gooooooo"...an alarm sounded. Loud. Very loud. The CM had trouble stopping the alarm. We were asked to get out of the ship and wait back on the loading platform...and after about 5 minutes of waiting, they decided to clear the entire queue and close the ride (as well as Mr. Toad...apparently, the whole building was messed up). More tears. Many more tears, actually, and some screaming too. I know, sounds like an awful kid, but he was totally beat (it was 7:30PM) and really disappointed. A CM offered us a front of the line pass, but there was really nothing to use it on at this point as the park was set to close in 30 minutes.

So what do you do when it's not so magical? The first situation really bummed me out because I felt like it was something they could have made right. I realize that Peter Pan breaking down was beyond their control, but it's very hard to explain that to a 3 year old who just waited an eternity (in 3 year old terms) to ride. Offering a front of the line pass when the park is about to close is not really much consolation, is it?

I'm venting a little, but just feel bad that someone so young has to face such disappointment at someplace that's supposed to be magical. Where was the pixie dust when we needed it?

 

[skiingfast]

When I was in kindergarten I was promised a first class seat to Hawaii. Decades later my parents hadn't come through on that promise.

See the mistake they made? They made a promise on something they couldn't deliver. See the mistake you made?

Next time you go don't promise to deliver everything you have no control over.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Having a 3 year old boy myself, I know that with or without a "promise" he would've been disappointed in that situation. You just tell him you will try again next time.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Hmmm.... I think that part of what happened WAS pixie dust. 30 minutes before the Park is closing, you waited in line a long time (by 3 year old standards), and there was probably only time for one more ride (and the line). So, the CM gave you front of the line rights allowing you to get in probably two more rides. YAY! That's pixie dust if there ever was any --- especially right at closing. You got the pixie dust, the magic, the kind gesture to end on a high note instead of a low. To be really honest, sometimes, it's a matter of recognizing the pixie dust when we get it.

Now, as for the Mark Twain...

It sounds like there was miscommunication between the cast members. In truth, there really is not a lot of room up there, so if one group has already been chosen, there truly isn't room to let in another group that's tapping at the door. However, on the second attempt with Mark Twain, I am not sure I would have told your son that he was going to get to do it before it was a done deal (standing upstairs). I am guessing at three, he did not fully understand what the CM promised, so much as what you may have told him.

To answer your question, "What about when it's not so magical?" I guess my question is, "Was that your entire visit?" When one or two elements aren't magical, emphasize the moments that ARE magical. Use the less magical moments are teaching opportunities --- and chances to see the magic that exists.

- Dreams

 

[LisaT91403]

When I was in kindergarten I was promised a first class seat to Hawaii. Decades later my parents hadn't come through on that promise.

See the mistake they made? They made a promise on something they couldn't deliver. See the mistake you made?

Next time you go don't promise to deliver everything you have no control over.

Actually, I never promised anything in regards to Mark Twain. I told DS I would ask, so i asked and the CM said yes.

As for Peter Pan, the disappointment had nothing to do with a broken promise on my part. If you can't understand that, you must not have a 3 year old

 

[LisaT91403]

Hmmm.... I think that part of what happened WAS pixie dust. 30 minutes before the Park is closing, you waited in line a long time (by 3 year old standards), and there was probably only time for one more ride (and the line). So, the CM gave you front of the line rights allowing you to get in probably two more rides. YAY! That's pixie dust if there ever was any --- especially right at closing. You got the pixie dust, the magic, the kind gesture to end on a high note instead of a low. To be really honest, sometimes, it's a matter of recognizing the pixie dust when we get it.

Now, as for the Mark Twain...

It sounds like there was miscommunication between the cast members. In truth, there really is not a lot of room up there, so if one group has already been chosen, there truly isn't room to let in another group that's tapping at the door. However, on the second attempt with Mark Twain, I am not sure I would have told your son that he was going to get to do it before it was a done deal (standing upstairs). I am guessing at three, he did not fully understand what the CM promised, so much as what you may have told him.

To answer your question, "What about when it's not so magical?" I guess my question is, "Was that your entire visit?" When one or two elements aren't magical, emphasize the moments that ARE magical. Use the less magical moments are teaching opportunities --- and chances to see the magic that exists.

- Dreams

We did have a lot of fun, of course!

The pass was useless...there were no lines for us to bypass at that time of night. Too bad we couldn't have saved it for another visit

With MT, the CM asked DS if he wanted to stay and ride again so that he could go up with the pilot. I didn't think she'd offer something she couldn't make happen.

Anyway, sounds like it must all have been my fault, so I'll just let this one go....

 

[ABtwinmommy]

I completely understand what you mean. I cannot stand to see my children have their little hearts broken. It would be especially upsetting in The Most Magical Place on Earth...

Unfortunetly these things do happen. As far as what to do... ... I don't really know besides just try to make the best of a bad situation. I guess personally I would try to make it up to them as best I could...try to catch another ride, grab a special treat on the way out, or something like that.

I hope your DS did enjoy his time anyways

 

[stitchy626]

I'm sorry the situation with the MT happened to you guys.

I can speak first hand that the only CM who can/should be in charge of deciding who drives is the pilot. After many many DL trips my DD got up the nerve to ask the "cute CM" (her words not mine she was 16 then) if she could go up in the wheel house. He was polite but let her know that the rest of his trips were already taken by other guests who asked him first. She was bummed but thanked him and as we walked away another CM stopped us and told her that he was taking over as Pilot in about 30 minutes and if she came back in 20 and waited, we would be his first guests. I'm sure during that time more asked to go up but he had the final decision.

Maybe the CM misspoke without checking with the pilot but regardless you trusted her and did nothing wrong. Don't let one bad apple take a sour the magic.

 

[CrazyDuck]

You live in LA.... A do-over should be pretty easy!

 

[SilentFeline]

I'm sorry that these things had to happen to your son. I'm sure it's difficult for him to understand, but as ABtwinmommy said, these things do unfortunately happen, even at "the Happiest Place on Earth." My DBF and I had several mishaps on our recent January trip (some of them major), and they were made worse by the fact that we only go to DLR once every 2.5-3 years. We just had to remind ourselves of where we were and remember that's it isn't always that way. As CrazyDuck mentioned, you are very close to DLR so you could always try again on your next visit!

I do have to disagree with your comment about not being able to use that pass because it was 30 minutes before closing. DBF and I got one of those passes after being stuck on PotC for 35 minutes and having to be evacuated. When they say front-of-the-line, they mean front-of-the-line. We got right on the Finding Nemo subs. The queues don't close for any ride until park closing time (we were able to get on PotC 1 minute before closing time one night), so why couldn't you have used your pass for another Fantasyland ride or another ride your son likes? I'm sure he has more than one favorite.

I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip and that your son has his wishes fulfilled on your next visit.

 

[larina]

We did have a lot of fun, of course!

The pass was useless...there were no lines for us to bypass at that time of night. Too bad we couldn't have saved it for another visit

With MT, the CM asked DS if he wanted to stay and ride again so that he could go up with the pilot. I didn't think she'd offer something she couldn't make happen.

Anyway, sounds like it must all have been my fault, so I'll just let this one go....

I am so sorry that was your experience. When we captained the ship, another family thought they were going to, because of some mix up. They had to wait because it was the captain who said yes to us.

That said, that pass wasn't useless, it was gold. Often the CMs don't take them when you use them; you could have done two or three rides in that half hour!!!

 

[CanadianDisneyDad]

G'day

Not sure I can use the word Dissapointed in a sentence with Disney but that me.

The thing that always amazes with with Disney (Disneyland, Disney World and Disney Cruise Lines) is how well maintained things are. But we also have to remember that most everying is mechanicial and subject to breakdowns and also add the human error factor too. When we get to rides that are closed for maintenance or quick repair we simply move onto the next one and come back to it.

Now all that beign said it is difficukt to convey that to younger one who are hyped up on Disney!!

Sorry you had a slight issue but, and it was already said, it really promotes a DO OVER visit.

cheers

 

[kirstie101]

I completely understand what you mean. I cannot stand to see my children have their little hearts broken. It would be especially upsetting in The Most Magical Place on Earth...

Unfortunetly these things do happen. As far as what to do... ... I don't really know besides just try to make the best of a bad situation. I guess personally I would try to make it up to them as best I could...try to catch another ride, grab a special treat on the way out, or something like that.

I hope your DS did enjoy his time anyways

Exactly this....it breaks my heart to see my childs heart broken, no matter what the circumstances. Like PP said I would just try to give my child something else to focus on. Call it a bribe or call it redirecting their attention, but a balloon on the way out of the park or a giant lollipop would have helped cheer my daughter back-up. The MT situation would be a tiny bit harder but I'd probably just let her choose the next ride we go on or ask her if she wanted to go meet Mickey or the princesses instead.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Was it disappointing? Yes. I can't say not getting to do something should make it not so magical.

 

[Tarijeno]

The best you can do is tell the youngsters that you'll bring them back another day. Here's the only disappointment from our big family trip two Novembers ago at WDW. It was a family reunion of four families, about twenty people all together. My niece and two nephews had never been to WDW and were incredibly excited. They were listing off daily all the rides they were going to go on and all the characters they were going to meet, etc. My then 10 year old niece was learning about hidden mickeys, and was intent upon spending one of her "lazy days" looking for them at the MK.

Here's where it got disappointing. Their parents chose perhaps the dumbest flight plan ever manifested to get from Salt Lake City to Orlando. It had two overlays - one at LAX was only 15 minutes, and the other was 20 minutes at Atlanta. It is impossible to make change flights with such tight windows. Long story short they showed up 3 days late, and the kids were only able to spend a few hours in the park before they had to go back. It was a real bummer.

The only thing we could tell them was "We'll take you for a real fun trip in a couple years." And that's what we're planning right now.

 

[blackjackdelta]

When I was in kindergarten I was promised a first class seat to Hawaii. Decades later my parents hadn't come through on that promise.

See the mistake they made? They made a promise on something they couldn't deliver. See the mistake you made?

Next time you go don't promise to deliver everything you have no control over.

A lifes rule I have always followed to this day..work or family. Thanks ski.
My 4 kids follow the same rule.

Jack

 

[LisaT91403]

A big thank you to the select few of you who "got it" regarding 3 year olds (you know who you are!) I appreciate your compassionate responses! We did make a trip down Main Street on our way out, and DS picked out some of those candy coins with the characters on them (like the ones you get for turndown service at the hotels). That definitely helped! And we will have a do-over sometime soon!

 

[undertheradar]

What percentage of park visitors get to do this on a daily basis? You are trying to partake in a very limited activity and not everyone who wants to is going to get the opportunity. OP, what is your idea of magical when it comes to every park visitor, not just your 3 year old?

 

[Nox54]

So, you asked. the CM said yes. Your son heard this and got excited. You got to the boat and, in fact, did not get to do it. Your son was upset.
I can understand being unhappy with the outcome, especially since it happened twice? I wouldn't say it would ruin my trip, and I don't recall you saying that it did, either , but that moment was a tough one, imo. Of course, you turn it in to a teaching moment and move on, but, yeah, I'd be a bit miffed, too.

I do agree the passes given because of the Peter Pan ride was amazing! I have waited in line for rides at Disneyland only to have them "break down" right before my group's turn to ride and been turned away empty handed. DD(3 yr old) still talks about how Snow White never works because it was down every single time we tried to ride it but we just moved on to another ride that did. I would have LOVED!!! a pass.

 

[pixiewings71]

OP make sure you speak with the captain when requesting rides in the wheelhouse. another CM may say they can get you up there but the reality is (as others have stated) the Captain has the final say and if he/she has already promised this privilege to someone else you will be denied. We've told the girls we were going to do something and then not been able to, we just put that at the top of our list for the next visit.

And the pass you got from PP, I love that pass.....we got one when RR broke down and we were stuck on it for 30 minutes minimum.....OMG I wanted to stab myself in the eye. LOL It was so loud and annoying where we got stuck (the room with the loud machine with the mouth that opens and closes)....lol They gave us the pass and we tried to use it like 5 times, no one would take it, they boarded us immediately but then let us keep the pass. We finally ended up using it to ride PP, which had a wait time of 40 minutes, so we got our use out of it.

to answer your question, when it's less than magical we just understand that sometimes things don't go the way we want them to and when that happens we can either let it affect us negatively or we can shrug it off and move forward. But that's our basic life philosophy so....... I'm sure you will get your DS in the wheelhouse soon enough, when you do make sure you sign the log book!